A Friendly Engagement (28 page)

Her chest split in two, but she hardened her heart and lifted her chin. His words and actions were all the proof she needed. His ultimatum the final slap to hit the truth home. Even after all their declarations last night it became painfully obvious that her feelings went much deeper than his if he could walk away so easily.

Devi took a step forward and grabbed his free hand, jamming the ring in his palm and folding his hand shut. “I don’t work for you any longer, Omar Esterly. If you want to make a donation, do it yourself.”

His eyes turned to ice, and so did the once warm blood flowing through her veins.

The door clicked closed behind him, and her heart shattered into a billion pieces. She sank to the floor, her hands over her face.

What the hell had just happened?

“Omar.” She whispered his name over and over until her mouth moved without producing the word. She pulled her knees to her chest and then buried her head in the crook of her arms.

She wanted to cry, but the tears that’d rushed through her moments ago got swallowed up by the numbness invading her mind and body.

How had the best week of her life just become her worst?

…

Omar jammed the damn ring into his pocket. He took the steps two at a time as he made his way to the foyer of Bartow’s mansion. He’d allowed Devi into the deepest place inside himself that he’d reserved for nobody, but given to her.

He’d trusted her. He’d considered a future with her.
Hell, you
wanted
a future with her.

But just like his mother—a woman he loved and trusted—Devi wouldn’t be there for him when he really needed her. And after hearing what Bartow had done, he had needed her. And she’d remained silent.

How could she have chosen her father—a man she barely knew—over him? After all they’d shared the last few days. Hell, the last several years. Had her words of a future, her feelings, been a lie? Or was it just that his words went deeper than hers? His feelings more real?

He’d considered a future with Devi.

But that would never happen. What a fool he’d been.

His already black heart hardened another degree. He could count himself lucky that he hadn’t asked her for more. Good thing everything happened when it did and he came to his senses. Devi didn’t and would never care for him as much as he cared for her. Better he realize it now rather than later, after he’d given his heart further.

Shit.
His father had been right all along. Family did hold you back.

Or in Omar’s case, giving your heart to someone set you back. He’d let Devi become too much of a distraction. Business should, and from now on would, come first.

Even though that little boy buried deep inside wanted to get to know his mother and brothers, Omar would never let them in as deeply as he’d let Devi. He’d invite them in far enough to care but not detour him from his main goal of success.

Omar hit the bottom step certain of his future plans. He pushed away the hollow feeling filling his chest. Devi had made her choice. Her loss.

And yours.
He shoved that voice from his head.

Bartow strolled into the foyer as Omar crossed the marble floor in long strides. “Omar, just the man I wanted to see…” Bartow’s words fell away, and he frowned as he eyed Omar’s luggage. “What’s going on?”

The sight of the older man sent a sucker punch straight to Omar’s gut. “Why don’t you ask your daughter?” He brushed past the other man and pulled the front door open.

“What are you talking about? What’s going on? Is Devi okay?” Panic swept through the older man’s eyes.

Bartow’s reaction didn’t give Omar the thrill he thought it would. Instead, he felt like a total ass for wishing misery on anyone, even though he no longer liked or respected the man.

“Devi’s happy to have found her father, even though I tried to tell her what a lying cheat he is. She’s made her decision. Congratulations. You’re more important to her than me or any loyalty to Esterly Financial.”

“What are you talking about?” Bartow spun him around, and they glared at each other in silence. The only sound was the soft chiming of the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. “Lying? Loyalty?”

“You don’t remember attempting to ruin my father’s business with your lies? How about the interview you gave discrediting my father and Esterly Financial? Claims that all turned out to be false.”

“I thought you knew all about—”

“Do you honestly think I’d want to work with a man who tried to ruin my father? And did ruin his family?”

“His family? I don’t understand.”

At least Bartow had the humility to go pale. Omar shrugged the other man off when he grabbed his upper arm.

“And I’m not the man to help you understand.” Omar bit out each word. “I’m out of here.”

“Omar, I think we need to talk about this. Either I’m missing something or you are.”

“You sound like your daughter. She wanted to sit down and talk, too.” Omar gave him a kiss-off salute topped with a lopsided grin and shook his head. “I don’t want to hear your excuses.”

“But what about Devi?” Bartow whispered.

“What about her? She made her choice. Congratulations, you won.”

Chapter Eighteen

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Dad, it’s been a week. I’m fine.” Devi still smiled every time she used the word “dad.” In the last week, that had been the only thing to make her smile. What did she expect, though? She’d lost her job, part of her identity, and the most important man in her life other than her father. She stacked her plate on top of his and made her way toward the kitchen sink. “I need to get back to my life. I can’t remain on a perpetual vacation.”

“We’ve just found each other. This must be how it feels when your child goes off to school for the first day. Are you sure you want to leave in the morning? Stay another day or two at least.” He pulled her in for a hug, then released her, his hands on her shoulders. All his emotions shone through his bright eyes. “I know you’re trying to be strong, but I can see the heartbreak in your eyes, Devi.”

She blinked and lowered her focus to his shoulder. “Where are my sunglasses when I need them?” Her attempt at a joke fell on silence.

“You still wouldn’t be able to hide.” He lifted her chin until she met his soft expression.

Her father was right, but that didn’t stop her from wanting everyone around her to not witness that her break with Omar was always on her mind. If only he’d take her calls. If only he’d return them. Over the last week her emotions had spun out of control. In her moments of weakness, when her anger had subsided somewhat and she could accept that any thought of a future with Omar was history, all she wanted was a semblance of civility. After all they’d shared the last five years, that wasn’t too much to ask. Was it? Then in the next instant an angry sense of injustice overwhelmed her that he’d left without hearing her or William out.

Omar, the man who overanalyzed everything from so many angles, hadn’t cared enough to put the time into hearing all sides. He hadn’t been able to get away from her fast enough. Maybe the idea of
them
scared him more than learning about what really happened between his father and William.

No matter how much anger soared through her, she couldn’t turn off her feelings for long. Love didn’t work like that.

“Remember, you’re with a man who knows heartache better than most. From my own stupidity, of course, but I’d know that look anywhere.”

“I just need to get some normalcy in my life. I’m not saying that I’ll get over Omar, but at least I’ll have something else to keep me busy. Truthfully, Dad, staying here is making it harder because—”

“He’s everywhere you look.” William nodded. “I understand, honey.”

She shook her head and smiled. Although she’d just gotten to know her father, they already had a tight bond. In just a short time, she cared for and loved him as if they’d known each other their entire lives. Even Grams and Gramps had been excited when she’d called them with the news.

“How about if I try to call Omar? I could explain everything. He’d know the entire sordid deal, even though it still makes me sick to think about my part in everything. If only I hadn’t listened to Mike Jepson. Or had at least checked facts.”

She hated to see him still carrying around the guilt for something that had happened so many years ago.

“You can’t keep blaming yourself, Dad. After you found out your mistake, you tried to make it right. Leland didn’t want to listen. And now Omar doesn’t want to, either.”

After she’d talked with her father and found out all the details, she’d wanted Omar to at least hear her out. She’d tried to call him several times and had left countless messages on his personal cell, but he never answered or returned her calls. Her last resort would be to call the office, but she hated having her friends there act as a go-between.

“I don’t even want to think about any of this now. I just can’t…” She looked away, blinking against the raw tears burning the back of her eyes and throat. Once she got home, she’d sort things out and make a plan. One way or another, she had to make Omar listen. Even if she ended up sitting outside the office building until he left work, or camped out on the doorstep of his house. Not for herself, but for him. Things between them had gone too far, it was too late, but Omar needed to know the truth about what had happened between their fathers. For some reason it was important to her that he did, so that he didn’t turn into the staunch, unfeeling businessman his father had been.

“I understand, honey. I just hate seeing you like this. Are you sure you won’t consider staying a few more days?” He pulled her in for another hug, rubbing his hand down her back and comforting her like a small child.

Devi loved her father, felt blessed that he’d taken in stride the story about what she and Omar had done in order to get an invitation to his house, but she needed to be away from his prying eyes and his fatherly concern. She kissed his cheek. “I appreciate your support, but I really do need to go. I’ll be leaving probably before you’re out of bed in the morning.”

“I worry about you. I want to help.”

Those words felt good to hear. She smiled up at him.

“It’s only for a week or so. Remember, we’re meeting for lunch next Tuesday before the blood test. By then my bloodshot eyes will be a thing of the past.” Her father’s lawyer had suggested a blood test for legal reasons. Hopefully by then she wouldn’t have to worry about breaking into tears every time she heard or said Omar’s name.

“In the meantime, remember, if you need anything I’m here for you.” He kissed her on the cheek and squished her in a tight hug. “I still can’t believe I have a daughter.”

“And I have a dad.” She touched his cheek, trailing her fingers along his jaw as he drew back.

“Love you, baby.”

“Love you, too, Dad.” And she did with all her heart. If only she could say those same words to Omar. But that would never happen now. “I’m going to get to bed early so I can be on the road before the roosters crow. You sure you’re okay with me taking the red car home?”

“I won’t even miss it.”

Devi nodded. “Okay, then good night. I’ll call you when I get home tomorrow.”

“Night.”

She headed toward the arch that led to the foyer and turned back. She hated the concern on her father’s face. She hated he felt so responsible.

Her heartache was between her and Omar, and they were the only two who could fix it. But he’d already shown he didn’t want to fix it. If he cared half as much as she cared for him, he’d have returned her calls.

She gave her father a wink and moved toward the stairs. God, how she missed Omar and his playful banter, their flirting, the amazing nights of passion. All a memory now. A bittersweet memory.

How had she allowed herself to fall in love with her boss? Her best friend.

Your former boss. Your former best friend.

She’d sworn she’d never need a man—but she’d sure like one. But only if that man were Omar.

She needed to see him. Talk to him. If she only knew how.

…

Omar saved the file on his laptop and lowered the lid. He scrubbed his hands over his face, then flung himself back into his chair to stare at the ceiling.

His lunch date with his mother played out in his head for the millionth time today. He finally had a better understanding of why she’d done what she had. Although she’d wanted to keep all her boys together, Omar’s father had put his foot down and demanded his oldest son stay with him.

His mother loved her husband and had bowed to his decision, even though her heart broke.

During their talk at lunch, Omar saw the hurt in her eyes and the love in her touch when she bared her soul.

He couldn’t deny the weight that lifted off his chest at her words. She hadn’t abandoned him, and the knowledge freed him. At the same time some of his adoration toward his father lessened. His mother might not have stood up to Leland for the sake of her boys, but Leland had played a major role in keeping their family apart. His father could’ve and should’ve made the choice to return to his normal family life after he saved his business.

But he didn’t.

And that spoke volumes.

His mother had been hurt as much as he had. She hated leaving her son, and she hated seeing the man she loved work himself to death.

How they’d managed to stay together all the years they had, Omar didn’t understand. His mother’s underlying love had played a role in her devotion. A devotion that was in spirit more often than in flesh and blood because Omar didn’t remember them being in the same city for more than a few weeks a year. Had his father only stayed married to avoid negative press, or the expense of a divorce? It seemed likely because the only thing in his life he truly seemed to love was work.

Too bad his father hadn’t seen what pain he caused them all. Too bad he’d gotten sucked into his obsession with work and ignored his children, and his wife. A woman who’d loved him unconditionally.

He closed his eyes and wished he were home and in bed. All week long he’d run on fumes. Anything to keep his mind busy, but he needed rest, sleep. After sharing his bed for less than a week with Devi, he’d realized he couldn’t sleep without her by his side. If he managed three hours a night, he’d be surprised.